Enhancing Driver Education

While many significant problems and challenges actively plague our society today, car collisions remain a significant concern worldwide. It is important to note my use of the word “collisions” rather than “accidents.” Differentiating the use of both words draws attention to situations caused by lack of attention and other avoidable actions. With that said, enhancing driver education remains a critical strategy for preventing collisions and fatalities from driving.

To begin with, my experience as a driver education student first taught me that driving is a privilege and not a right, per the implied consent law upon accepting a driver’s license. My driver education training also taught me that nearly half of all traffic fatalities involve alcohol. Given that staggering statistic, I encourage all drivers to never drive under the influence, while intoxicated, or while impaired. While the terms may be used interchangeably, all three affect a person’s ability to drive, which includes their ability to respond, make decisions, and maintain control. Not only does driving under those conditions put the driver in danger, but they also put the others around them in danger too by getting behind the wheel. For that reason, it is important to avoid drugs and alcohol altogether before driving and to make plans ahead of time on how to get to a destination safely. While thankfully I have never had an experience of being in a car collision, I have seen a family member drive irresponsibly. Growing up with an alcoholic parent, I felt like I was responsible for more than one life when they were behind the wheel. As a child, I could recognize that they were not supposed to be driving me and my siblings around. No child should be put in that situation, regardless of their status as my parent at the time. I wish that someone advocated for me or stepped up as the designated driver when they were behind the wheel.

In addition to avoiding drugs and alcohol, another step that can be taken to reduce the number of driving-related deaths is learning defensive driving. Defensive driving is defined as anticipating the action of other drivers to keep yourself and others safe. In order to perform the driving task, three types of skills are needed: physical, social, and decision-making (mental). Outside of those three types of skills, every driver should take it upon themselves to understand the Smith System for driving defensively. First, a defensive driver should aim high in steering by scanning 12-20 seconds ahead when driving to be prepared. Second, a defensive driver should keep their eyes moving using an orderly visual search pattern, preventing the body from entering a trance state. Third, a defensive driver makes sure others see them by communicating using lights, signals, horn, etc. Fourth, a defensive driver gets the big picture and recognizes they are one small part of the large traffic scene. Defensive drivers do not drive selfishly, but predict where a conflict could happen, decide how to avoid it, and execute. Lastly, a defensive driver leaves themself an out, which means surrounding the vehicle with space all the way around to escape in case of emergency. All five of these rules of the Smith System can help reduce the chance of a major collision.

Lastly, not only is it important to model being a defensive driver, but also model good driving behavior. Modeling good driving behavior means having knowledge of traffic laws and regulations and understanding the responsibilities of owning a vehicle. Proper driver education covers the importance of following traffic laws and regulations while also acknowledging specific rules or regulations for the area or state. We follow traffic laws and regulations for the purpose of keeping ourselves and others safe. Following them creates a safer driving environment for everyone, but willful disobedience of them can cause collisions, and potentially fatal ones. Modeling good driving behavior also means understanding the responsibilities of owning a vehicle: financial and environmental, which includes regular and preventative maintenance.

In conclusion, the steps that can be taken to reduce the number of driving-related deaths include enhancing driver education through teaching others to avoid drugs and alcohol before driving, teaching defensive driving, and modeling good driving behavior. I have already taken the first step to be a better and safer driver by learning all of these skills through my driver education training program I participated in at 15. I can help others become safer on the road by reminding them of these preventative measures and leading by example. My contribution as a defensive driver and role model of good driving behavior is essential to my safety and the drivers I’m around to help them become safer on the road.